The Opelousas courier., 1887-02-12

"We,l, it's our Billy. He's dreadful!
unsettled il his stun mick"
tch.r. MoeasN3

unsettled in his stun, mick"
eCholera, Mosesa'
ooh. bless ye, miss, no! But boyl
will be boys, You hlow-and Billy, hi
found a kettle q gooseberry jam sot t.
cool down on the garden wall, back OIL
the we'll, and he went into 'em with a
will, till, all of a sudden like, he stirred
up somcthin' with a stick-and," low
ering his voice again., sit was a vigil A
red wigw
Ella burst into a peal Of ifrepressible
laughter. It was plain enough now
The Widow Coke had lost her wig in
the preserving kettle.
swell, Noses" she said, as soon as
she could sufficiently control her voice
"don't say a word Accidents will
occur. "pll get the soda, and you must
tell Billy to be a little more careful as to
stolen sweets hereafter"
There was no moon the next night.
only the fiery, golden glitter of stars,
and the uncertain lamps of myTiads OF
glow-worms. AL the lights in the
Withcrly mansion were out, and no one
save Ella and the s.lUEe's self knew that
the latter parsonage. was stealthily watch
ing down under the shadow of the tall
currant bushes for the midnight depre.
dator. who had so lawlessly rifed his
young peach trees.
"Tll lay hands on the Williams, or I'll
know the reason why" the squire
vepgefully muttered to himself.
Just as the clock was on the stroke of
twelve there WIS a rustic among the
bushes. the sound: of stealthy footsteps,
the crssklipg oil leaves and gravel under
foot. TIE squire sat up, his eyes start
ing from Ais head, his whole frame
trembling wish triumphant expectation,
as a tall. gauafi figure, robed IN black,
emerged from the shrubbery, and,
STOPPING beneath, a clump of elderberries
ut the foot of the finest peach tree.
Like a cat from its ambuscade the
squire pounced out; upon the midnight
prowler. .
eve got you, have II Villaint Sneak!
Wretched thief! And PIl shake every
bone out of your body, see if I 'dontr'
esquire Witherleyv" shrieked a shrill
voice of terror and apprehension.
The squire Fccsed Ills hold.
"Why, it's Mrs. Coxet In the name
of all the fates and f@uries, ma'am, what
are you doing uDAer my peach trees at
this hour of the niggte'
But between rage, and fright the
widow was, for one, thrown off her
guard.
"You're no gentleman, Squire With
erleyr' she exclaimed. "Nor you,
neither, Elia-no lady, / mean,". as the
squire's astonished granddaughter APP
peared on the scene, in gay cashmere
wrapper, with a Shetland scarf folded
about her head. "A-prying and a-pecp-
ing night and day!"
"But you shall not leave tie spot,
ma'am,n insisted the unda1nted squire,
until you explain precisely what you
are doing here at this time Of the night"
Driven at last to bay, the widow was
forced to that open confession which is
said to be good for the soul,
"What Pm doing here!' she sharply
repeated. Il amt stealing your
peaches, anyhow! If you must know, I
came to get my new face-front O. curlsl
dropped my other wig yesterday into
them drafted gooseberries, and I sent
by express for this 'un. And I told
Pete Dickinson to leave it here quietly
and not come bawling all over creation |
that he'd brought home my new wig.
Look for yourself, if you really think |
I've been stealing yous breaches! There
amt no harm in wearing a wig, | sup |
pose, if your own hair amt SO very
thick!
Certainly NOT, ma'am, certainly not"
said the abashed squire. Il hope you'll
accept my"
"TIl accept nothin' protested the
memorable widow, except it's my
months wages. I won't stay in a family |
that's so inquisitiye and coarse minded
as this. Ill leave you TO -morrow, see if
/ don'fi''
"But, Mrs. Coxe,n protested squire
Witherley, Il beg your pardon. / never
intended 80"
Mrs. Coke fouuced away. too indig-
nant to listen to any apologies, and Ella
followed her, vainly cndeavoring to
appease her wrath.
'she'll never forgive us, grandpapa,n
said Ella, dolefully, as she returned
from her futile essay.
Dear me, dear me" said the squire,
scratching his head. Every awkward,
tEisp!a
And it was.
For you see the squire lost his winter
store Of gooseberry jam, Ella lost the
housekeeper, and ths widow lost her
wig. 1t was awkward. And yet, after
all, it was nobody's fault.
Value of Odorffer0us Timber.